Horse Hero Update - 8th February 2012
Editorial A new Guest Feature by Leueen Willoughby gives an eye-witness account of the World Dressage Masters 2012 in Florida and Stephan Peters' victory over Charlotte Dujardin by an eye-watering five one-hundredths of a percentage point! Find out about the drama behind the scenes and see backstage pictures of Charlotte and Carl Hester. Also, read Horse Hero Guru's witty and wise answers to January's forum questions including problems with the contact, young horse evasions and skin sores. Finally, if you haven't caught up with Horse Hero's celebrity bloggers in January, you'll find some of their Highlights in the Editorial section.
Filming. Last week we had three filming outings (all in sub-zero temperatures). First, we returned to dressage trainer Pammy Hutton who taught juniors and young riders some fascinating exercises for improving stability in the saddle and improving their lateral work. We also filmed 4* eventer Flora Harris jumping cross country and offering invaluable tips for the forthcoming season. Finally, we visited Grand Prix dressage rider Natalie Allen who rode for us in a bone-chilling minus 10C and taught some lessons. There is some young horse work in all sessions, which is a real eye-opener.
In a few weeks time, we are working with GB team rider Daisy Dick filming jump training for eventers, and we will be visiting clicker trainer Amanda Martin. Clicker training has many uses from dealing with problem behaviour to teaching tricks, training for obedience and improving a horse's dressage! Horse Hero founder Fiona Price will be learning a few tricks herself in March with the stunt riders, Company of Horsemen! We are also filming Grand Prix dressage rider Sarah Mills, who has had much success recently, and trains Horse Hero celebrity Melissa Beer.
Latest Blogs. Lynne Crowden has a bittersweet start to the year, Natalie Allen films with Horse Hero, it all goes wrong for Georgie Somerset, Sarah Fisher has a traumatic time, Laura Bechtolsheimer skives off work, Hannah Biggs is off to a great start, Karen Morris makes progress, Olivia Wilmot regrets her excesses and Jo Eccles prepares for the World Cup final. Anna Weston learns a painful lesson, Annie Perry is delighted, Joseph Murphy is drilled at squad training, Sienna Myson-Davies gets back in the swing and Melissa Beer amuses the judges. (Click here to read all, or read last month's highlights.)
Stop Press! Joanne Eccles has won the World Cup Final in Bordeaux, to add to her World and European Titles. To top off a fantastic weekend, Joanne's sister Hannah produced near foot perfect round to take 2nd place! (All in Jo's blog soon.)